Rental boats, including short-term Airbnb-style lets, need to have a permanent mooring and a valid business licence. For boats on our waterways, a square licence should be in the window facing outwards. This will have the letters ‘SL' clearly marked in the centre if the boat is licensed for static letting and the letters ‘SDHH' if it is licensed for holiday hire.
Why does having a valid licence matter?
It offers peace of mind to renters, because it means the boat owner has met rigorous requirements to make sure that both the boat is safe and that you, the renter, are briefed on everything you need to know. To get a business licence, boat owners have to provide proof of adequate insurance, a Boat Safety Scheme certificate conforming to hire boat safety standards, a detailed handover document including emergency procedures and contact numbers, a landlord Gas Safety Certificate, and written permission from their mooring provider.
If you have any doubts, ask our customer services team by calling 0303 040 4040 (select option 2 for boating) with the boat's name and index number or fill out our web form. Explain that you're thinking of renting the boat and ask them to confirm that it has the right kind of licence.
Please don't rent a boat without the correct type of licence – it will not have been checked by us and could potentially be unsafe.
